FAVOUR ONYINYECHUKWU UGOCHUKWU

Arsenic trioxide, widely used in industry and medicine, poses significant risks of cardiotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to cardiac tissue. Azanza garkeana, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential cardioprotective effects by mitigating oxidative damage and preserving cardiac function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Azanza garckeana on arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats each. Group A served as the control group and receive 1 ml of distilled water. Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide only. Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide + 500 mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana. Group D received 100mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide + 1000mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana. Group E and Group F received 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana only, respectively. Rats received oral administration for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed afterwards and heart tissues were harvested and processed for routine haematoxylin and eosin staining. Results showed some histological alterations: hypertrophic cardiomypathy, vascular dilatation and congestion, perivascular infiltrates of inflammatory cells, evidence of myocarditis in rats treated with arsenic trioxide only. However, there were significant improvements in the rats treated with arsenic trioxide and Azanza garckeana evidenced by normal histological features: branching and anastomosing myocardial fibres with centrally-located nuclei. In conclusion, findings from this study showed that Azanza garckeana protects against arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats.